ARC Raiders Weapon Combos That Should Be Banned

If you’ve encountered a player in ARC Raiders who seemed unfairly strong, they were likely using a particularly effective combination of weapons and upgrades. This combination can quickly make even weak enemies a serious threat in the Topside.

If you enjoy building and preparing for the next server reset (wipe), here’s a breakdown of some incredibly powerful weapon combinations to help you gear up.

El Toro + Venator + Tactical Mk. 3 (Defensive) Augment

Lethal At Mid And Close Range, Ideal For Stella Montis Scuffles

Good for: Aggressive Players
Not for: Open Maps, Long Range

This weapon setup is very effective in close-quarters combat. The El Toro is a powerful gun that can quickly defeat even Raiders with heavy shields, often in just a few shots. The Venator serves as a reliable secondary weapon, useful for engaging enemies at medium range or providing a quick follow-up when the El Toro needs to reload. Pairing this with the Tactical Mk 3 Defensive Augment lets you equip a medium shield and an integrated shield recharger for added protection.

The Tactical Mk 3 Defensive Augment lets players jog while their shields recharge. While this may seem minor, it can be crucial in a fight. It allows players to quickly get to cover and begin recharging shields while opponents are reloading or searching for them, potentially meaning the difference between winning and losing.

Venator + Vulcano + Looting Mk. 3 (Cautious) Augment

Wanna Be A Rat Hunter? Here Are The Tools Of The Trade

Good for: Skirmishers, Mid Range/Close Range
Not for: PvE/ Long Range Fights

As a big ARC Raiders fan, I’ve seen a lot of complaints about ‘Rats’ – hardcore PvP players who basically ruin the game for others. They’ll do anything to get easy loot, like tricking people, betraying teammates, or just camping near the extraction points to prey on players already worn out from fighting the AI. But I’ve found a really effective way to deal with them! It’s all about the Venator/Vulcano Combo, and you need to equip a Looting Mk3 (Cautious) Augment to make it work perfectly. Seriously, it’s a game-changer!

Players often believe a small boost to skills like Effortless Roll or Fight or Flight will be enough to escape danger. However, experienced ARC Raiders PvP players always carry Adrenaline Shots. The most effective strategy actually involves the Mk3 Survivor Augment, which automatically gives you a quick Adrenaline Shot when your shields break. This lets you dodge, sprint, slide, and leap repeatedly for almost 10 seconds – plenty of time to escape and find cover after your shields are down. If an enemy pursues you, switching to the Vulcano weapon can quickly turn the tables, and they won’t expect it.

Renegade + Venator + Combat Mk. 3 (Flanking) Augment

Surprise, Little Rat! Venator To The Face

Good for: Versatile Players
Not for: Prolonged Fights

Many players consider the Venator to be a powerful weapon in ARC Raiders, but it struggles in long-distance fights against most other guns. That’s where the Renegade comes in – it’s a long-range lever-action carbine that deals good damage to both ARC enemies and players. This gives Venator users some breathing room if they’re caught off guard by an enemy like a Ferro or Anvil. However, quickly switching back to the Venator after using the Renegade can be slow and difficult.

The Combat Mk. 3 (Flanking) Augment is a great addition for players who like to quickly switch to pistols and hand cannons – it boosts their draw speed by 33% even when holstered. If you enjoy playing a sharpshooter role, this is a strong build choice. With plenty of enemies around, this combination will make you a formidable opponent in player-versus-player combat.

Burletta + Venator + Combat Mk. 3 (Flanking) Augment

So You Want To Be A Gunslinger: Try This

Good for: Quickdraw, PvP-oriented players
Not for: PvE/scavengers

If someone said dual-wielding handguns in ARC Raiders isn’t effective, they haven’t seen this combination. Using a fully upgraded Burletta and Venator (both Level IV) with maximum magazine capacity is incredibly powerful. Players can customize them further with any attachments they like – adding precision upgrades for maximum damage, or a Tier 3 Silencer on the Burletta to become a nearly silent, high-fire-rate weapon.

The Combat Mk. 3 (Flanking) Augment really shines with its passive ability, which, as we discussed, significantly speeds up drawing handguns or hand cannons. It also improves weapon swap speed—adding to any benefits from skills or attachments—making Raiders incredibly quick and effective in combat against any enemy, whether they’re ARC members or other Raiders. Be especially careful when encountering other Raiders and always stay alert while exploring the open world.

El Toro + Tempest + Combat Mk3 (Aggressive) Augment

AKA: The Assault Trooper Build

Good for: Hit & Run Tactics, Prolonged Fights
Not for: Big PvE Encounters (Matriarch/Queen)

For ARC Raiders players who enjoy PvP and want a powerful, almost unfair combination, try using the Il Toro and Tempest weapons together, along with the Combat Mk3 (Aggressive) Augment. This setup lets you surprise enemies, quickly switch to grenades thanks to extra slots, and stay alive longer with the Augment’s healing ability – making you a formidable guerrilla fighter. Adding Shrapnel Grenades and Showstoppers will complete a very effective build.

I’ve been experimenting with a really effective strategy lately! It involves being quick and aggressive – basically hitting hard and then moving on, especially if you’ve put points into perks that boost your stamina. A Medium Shield helps with that. If someone gets too close, a Shotgun with a choke and extended mag is almost impossible to beat. But for taking out enemies from further away, the Torrente AR is my go-to. I like to pick them off from a distance, maybe drop a grenade or two, and then rush in with the Il Toro to finish the job. I’ve noticed a lot of top players in Night Raids using this same combo, so it’s clearly working!

2026-02-21 22:09